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Chapter1
Lexie Glover
I heardthe baby crying clear across the grocery store. The poor thing sounded miserable and more like a young toddler than an infant. At twenty-three and fresh out of college with a degree in business administration—which had gotten me exactly nowhere so far—I didn’t figure I wasreadyfor children just yet, but I adored them all the same.
Not for the first time, a hint of regret creeped in as I wondered just why I hadn’t gone into early childhood education like I’d wanted to instead of letting my parents push me toward business administration.
Maybe the degree in education wouldn’t have landed me smack dab in the high salary club, but the business degree had me back at my summer job location as a checker at a discount store.
Definitely not a win.
The day of ringing up annoying people’s purchases had been long.
My feet hurt.
I was hungry.
And I just wanted to get something quick and easy for dinner, head home, and spend the next two days enjoying my time off while I perused job openings for someone with my qualifications.
The cries had intensified as I made my way through the store. When I rounded the corner near the freezer section, the scene before me made my heart hurt.
The most adorable baby I’d ever seen—looking to be about fifteen months old—rubbed at red, tear-filled eyes, a snotty nose, and pulled on one ear, crying incessantly. Despite the distraught appearance, the super cute little dinosaur t-shirt and blond curly hair were enough to have me volunteering to wrap myself around the baby’s finger and do whatever it took to help.
Then I saw the man with the baby.
Holy.
Hotness.
He looked to be about mid-thirties, dark scruff—whether there purposely or because the man was frazzled and hadn’t had time to shave—dark, tired eyes, about six foot two if my five foot seven was anything to go by. He held a list, did his best to soothe the baby’s cries, and frantically tossed items in the cart like he was on Supermarket Sweep.
Honestly, I didn’t even think through my next move, I just acted on impulse. I pushed my cart up beside the baby and cooed softly, holding my hand out as a distraction. Luckily, it worked. The baby stopped screaming and stared at me.
“Hey there, baby. Poor thing, you’re tired, huh?” I spoke softly as the baby hiccupped and rubbed at sleepy, red eyes.
I noticed the man’s eyes on me, but he jerked his attention back to his list and grabbed several items during the baby’s silent moments.
As the poor child yanked on an ear and crumpled its face to cry again, I turned to the man—forcing myself to pay no attention to how damn good he looked in a warn t-shirt and jeans—and smiled hopefully. “Hi, I’m Lexie. I’m not a creeper, promise. Can I hold them?” I didn’t want to just assume the baby was a male due to the navy dinosaur shirt, and time was of the essence.
“God, yes, please,” the man said, relief flooding his voice. “Jack, this is Lexie. Lexie, this is Jack. He’s got an ear infection. I put off groceries too long and now I’m stuck having to grab whatever I can find while we wait for his medication to be filled. He’s not slept worth a shit the last two nights. I gave him Tylenol hoping it would kick in; I just need to get a few more items, pick up his antibiotics, and get him home to a warm bath, snuggles, and bed.”
I eagerly picked up Jack and shushed him as I swayed back and forth, talking silly baby words and pointing out what his daddy was putting in the cart. Well, I assumed the man was Jack’s daddy. I guessed he could have been an uncle or babysitter as well.
“Oh my god,” the man said, his eyes wide as he watched baby Jack place his head on my shoulder and sniffle. “You’re like the baby whisperer or something. Do you want a job?”
I laughed, but then realized he seemed serious. “Oh, like, for real?”
“For real. I work from home and thought I could manage. It wasn’t bad in the beginning, I just worked my projects around naps and bottles, but he’s mobile now, and I’m about to go insane.” He frowned. “Don’t get me wrong. I love him dearly, wouldn’t trade him for the world. Just need some help.”
We stared at each other for a moment longer than was necessary.
“Oh my god, I just offered a job to a complete stranger in a grocery store. I’m so sorry. I’m truly not deranged.”
Laughing, I rubbed Jack’s back, loving the way he snuggled into me. “It’s okay, I didn’t think you were serious.”
“Oh, I’m serious.” His chuckle was only slightly maniacal. “It’s crazy, but you’re clearly good with him. I’m in way over my head. I had plans to interview nannies in the next week or so anyway. I’m in HR, you’d think I’d be able to find a good nanny for my kid, right?” He laughed again, exhaustion evident in his voice and his movements. “For real though, tell me you need a job, love kids, and can start immediately.”
I swallowed thickly. “Oh, um…” Shit. What the hell was happening? Jack rubbed his face into my shoulder. “Yeah, I love kids. But it’s probably just the Tylenol kicking in.”
